Hola,
What a fantastic week! We have taught this family, Carlos and Alexandra and their children, for about a month, and on Sunday we talked to them about confidence, commitment, and covenants (which is the gospel - faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end). Carlos and Alexandra are not married, and they had told us about some difficulties they were having. After talking a bit about faith and repentance, Elder Stoner and I talked about covenants and read President Monson's story that he shared in the Priesthood Session of the April General Conference this year about the couple who had arguments quite often, and they called President Monson, their bishop at the time, and asked him to come over (at 2 a.m.) and resolve their problem. He didn't know what to do, so he offered a silent prayer. He then asked them how long it had been since they had seen a sealing ceremony in the temple. It had been a long time, they said, so he invited them to go to the temple with him to witness a sealing ceremony. As they sat there, in the temple, and were reminded of the covenants they had made, they decided to start over and try a little harder this time around. So, we talked to Carlos and Alexandra about the power of our covenants and how they help us be happy and stay on the true path. We then invited them, and they committed, to pray about getting married and being baptized.
We returned to their house on Tuesday and before we even said the opening prayer they told us that they had decided together to get married and be baptized! Alexandra told us that she woke up early in the morning, earlier than usual, and went out into the dining room and sat at the table with her Book of Mormon. She prayed and then opened the Book of Mormon. The first thing she read was about baptism, and having faith in the Lord. In that moment, she felt the Spirit witness to her that this was what God wanted her to do. So, she went and told Carlos, and he was elated. He had been wanting to get married and baptized for a while, and it was a major surprise to him because she came and told him! As they told us all of this, we felt such a sense of gratitude and happiness to see the light and determination that came from receiving and accepting the witness of the Holy Ghost. They are truly dedicated to the Lord and have great desires to make covenants with Him. Our hearts were filled, and we will continue to work with them toward these goals.
I know that our Heavenly Father lives. His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior. He lives. His hand is in our lives. His work is indeed "a marvelous work and a wonder." Because of His atonement we can change, and we can make covenants that tie us personally to Him and to our Father, and the Spirit seals those covenants as they are made through the holy priesthood and kept through faithful obedience to the commandments of God. And those covenants, when honored and kept sacred, will allow us to return and enter the presence of our Heavenly Father with our families in never ending happiness. I know this to be true!
Love,
Elder Joe Fagersten
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
September 3, 2011
Hola,
Fuengirola is a great place. Besides my feet being eaten by mosquitoes at night, I have thoroughly enjoyed this week. I love each of you so much and I am grateful for you. My lack of letter-writing does not reflect a lack of love, I promise, it's mostly a lack of time, and perhaps a little bit of planning as well. But, I still want you to know that I love you.
I also feel a great love for the people here in Spain. As I have served them and prayed for them, studied and planned for them, that love has grown. I have also come to gain a greater love for the Book of Mormon. I have come to love the people who kept that sacred record. I was reading in Alma, chapter 29, and a few verses really caught my attention. Alma is bearing his testimony and he says, "I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?" (Alma 29:4-6).
I also know that to be true. God only wants us to be happy, so why wouldn't we obey his will, why wouldn't we "perform the work to which [we] have been called"? There doesn't exist a greater feeling than that of knowing and obeying God's will. Obedience to His commandments allow us to grow and progress. That is the invitation that Christ has always extended. "And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?" (2 Nephi 31:10).
Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. It is made operative through the perfect atonement wrought by the Son of God. I know that He is our Savior, and that as we strive to "perform the work to which [we] have been called" we will come to know Him, and our Father, and "this is life eternal" (John 17:3).
Love,
Elder Joe Fagersten
Fuengirola is a great place. Besides my feet being eaten by mosquitoes at night, I have thoroughly enjoyed this week. I love each of you so much and I am grateful for you. My lack of letter-writing does not reflect a lack of love, I promise, it's mostly a lack of time, and perhaps a little bit of planning as well. But, I still want you to know that I love you.
I also feel a great love for the people here in Spain. As I have served them and prayed for them, studied and planned for them, that love has grown. I have also come to gain a greater love for the Book of Mormon. I have come to love the people who kept that sacred record. I was reading in Alma, chapter 29, and a few verses really caught my attention. Alma is bearing his testimony and he says, "I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?" (Alma 29:4-6).
I also know that to be true. God only wants us to be happy, so why wouldn't we obey his will, why wouldn't we "perform the work to which [we] have been called"? There doesn't exist a greater feeling than that of knowing and obeying God's will. Obedience to His commandments allow us to grow and progress. That is the invitation that Christ has always extended. "And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?" (2 Nephi 31:10).
Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. It is made operative through the perfect atonement wrought by the Son of God. I know that He is our Savior, and that as we strive to "perform the work to which [we] have been called" we will come to know Him, and our Father, and "this is life eternal" (John 17:3).
Love,
Elder Joe Fagersten
August 27, 2011
Hola,
We are teaching a great family right now and they are experiencing wonderful changes in their lives that have come from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we began teaching them, Alexandra, the mom, told us that she believed us, she believed the things that we were teaching, until we said that God loved us. Well, she believed that too, but she told us that she hadn't felt God's love for her. She didn't understand what that was. After beginning to read the Book of Mormon, and praying, and then obeying the Lord's commandments, she had her own spiritual experience. She felt God's love for her. There are still things that they need to change, just like all of us, but seeing those changes and their progress makes us happy, and I know that Heavenly Father feels happy when we choose to obey Him and experience the love that He has for us.
I have learned so much this week! The Lord always gives us opportunities to grow and progress. I am grateful for Him. Elder Stoner has helped me a lot during my time here. He and I talk a lot and we help and encourage each other to change and become better. He gave a talk in church last week and he pointed out that there are times when we are struggling, and we can't figure things out on our own, but we know we need help. We need to seek that help from the Lord. Then he said, "Sometimes we don't even know what we need, but He does!" It's true! As we continue in prayer and study of the scriptures we will feel the guidance of the Spirit. As we obey the promptings of the Spirit we will receive more promptings and more guidance. Heavenly Father doesn't want us to walk blindly through this life. The Savior marked the path and led the way. I love the feeling He gives us when we do what is right. Through the His atonement we can change, we can be free, and we can have peace. I know that He lives and loves us. I love each of you!
Love,
Elder Fagersten
We are teaching a great family right now and they are experiencing wonderful changes in their lives that have come from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we began teaching them, Alexandra, the mom, told us that she believed us, she believed the things that we were teaching, until we said that God loved us. Well, she believed that too, but she told us that she hadn't felt God's love for her. She didn't understand what that was. After beginning to read the Book of Mormon, and praying, and then obeying the Lord's commandments, she had her own spiritual experience. She felt God's love for her. There are still things that they need to change, just like all of us, but seeing those changes and their progress makes us happy, and I know that Heavenly Father feels happy when we choose to obey Him and experience the love that He has for us.
I have learned so much this week! The Lord always gives us opportunities to grow and progress. I am grateful for Him. Elder Stoner has helped me a lot during my time here. He and I talk a lot and we help and encourage each other to change and become better. He gave a talk in church last week and he pointed out that there are times when we are struggling, and we can't figure things out on our own, but we know we need help. We need to seek that help from the Lord. Then he said, "Sometimes we don't even know what we need, but He does!" It's true! As we continue in prayer and study of the scriptures we will feel the guidance of the Spirit. As we obey the promptings of the Spirit we will receive more promptings and more guidance. Heavenly Father doesn't want us to walk blindly through this life. The Savior marked the path and led the way. I love the feeling He gives us when we do what is right. Through the His atonement we can change, we can be free, and we can have peace. I know that He lives and loves us. I love each of you!
Love,
Elder Fagersten
August 20, 2011
Hola,
Well, here in the office we have our preparation day on Saturdays, so, emails will now come on Saturdays! Last week, we went to the Rock of Gibraltar! It was a lot of fun, even though it was a really hot, long, sweaty hike to the top. We all enjoyed it a lot. There are a bunch of monkeys there and they are really, really accustomed to the people. I didn't want one to climb on me (I didn't think they were very sanitary...haha) but we saw them climb on other people. People give them food, so they are always looking for something to eat when they see people. Afterward, we bought some delicious smoothies. Oh, another thing about Gibraltar is that it is actually part of Great Britain. So, I went to a different country! Haha! We had to show the police our passports in order to cross the border.
I have really enjoyed my time so far in Fuengirola. Each day, I learn more and strengthen my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an amazing thing. I feel such a great amount of love for each of you. I love you! I know that Heavenly Father loves you, and I know that Jesus Christ loves us. That love is what changes us and it is that love that we must develop to prepare ourselves to return to Their presence. As Moroni said, in the Book of Mormon, Ether 12:33-34, " And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father." Mom used to tell me, "Love facilitates change." I know that it is the love of the Savior that changes our hearts and allows us to become what He would have us become. We become truly free and truly happy through His "merits and mercy and grace" (2 Nephi 2:8).
Love,
Elder Joe Fagersten
Well, here in the office we have our preparation day on Saturdays, so, emails will now come on Saturdays! Last week, we went to the Rock of Gibraltar! It was a lot of fun, even though it was a really hot, long, sweaty hike to the top. We all enjoyed it a lot. There are a bunch of monkeys there and they are really, really accustomed to the people. I didn't want one to climb on me (I didn't think they were very sanitary...haha) but we saw them climb on other people. People give them food, so they are always looking for something to eat when they see people. Afterward, we bought some delicious smoothies. Oh, another thing about Gibraltar is that it is actually part of Great Britain. So, I went to a different country! Haha! We had to show the police our passports in order to cross the border.
I have really enjoyed my time so far in Fuengirola. Each day, I learn more and strengthen my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an amazing thing. I feel such a great amount of love for each of you. I love you! I know that Heavenly Father loves you, and I know that Jesus Christ loves us. That love is what changes us and it is that love that we must develop to prepare ourselves to return to Their presence. As Moroni said, in the Book of Mormon, Ether 12:33-34, " And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father." Mom used to tell me, "Love facilitates change." I know that it is the love of the Savior that changes our hearts and allows us to become what He would have us become. We become truly free and truly happy through His "merits and mercy and grace" (2 Nephi 2:8).
Love,
Elder Joe Fagersten
August 15, 2011
Hola,
Well, now I'm here in La Costa del Sol! Fuengirola is about 30 minutes (in car) west and a little south of Málaga. It's right on the beach and it's a little bit lower temperature here than in Sevilla. Elder Stoner is my companion and he is awesome! He and I are the only two missionaries in this mission who entered the MTC on the same day, so we're the only two in our group. We get along really well, and I'm grateful to be here with him.
The experiences I am having here are really helping me learn and grow. Planning and goal setting and discipline are so important. Time is one of the most precious gifts that our Heavenly Father has given us, and the way we choose to use that time will determine what we become and who we become. Heavenly Father's plan for us is designed so that we can be happy. That happiness comes through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel and through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the words of Elder Bruce R. McConkie when he spoke of the atonement and of the divinity of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Said Elder McConkie, "He is God’s Almighty Son... He is our Savior and Redeemer, and... salvation comes in and through His atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light, as God our Father is in the light, so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, will cleanse us from all sin." I know that those words are true, and that only through Christ will we find peace and happiness.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
Well, now I'm here in La Costa del Sol! Fuengirola is about 30 minutes (in car) west and a little south of Málaga. It's right on the beach and it's a little bit lower temperature here than in Sevilla. Elder Stoner is my companion and he is awesome! He and I are the only two missionaries in this mission who entered the MTC on the same day, so we're the only two in our group. We get along really well, and I'm grateful to be here with him.
The experiences I am having here are really helping me learn and grow. Planning and goal setting and discipline are so important. Time is one of the most precious gifts that our Heavenly Father has given us, and the way we choose to use that time will determine what we become and who we become. Heavenly Father's plan for us is designed so that we can be happy. That happiness comes through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel and through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the words of Elder Bruce R. McConkie when he spoke of the atonement and of the divinity of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Said Elder McConkie, "He is God’s Almighty Son... He is our Savior and Redeemer, and... salvation comes in and through His atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light, as God our Father is in the light, so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, will cleanse us from all sin." I know that those words are true, and that only through Christ will we find peace and happiness.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
August 8, 2011
Hola,
Well, my time here in Sevilla is over. It has been incredible, and I feel so grateful for the experiences I have had here. Elder Ferreira is an amazing missionary and I love him sooooo much. It will be hard to leave these wonderful people, many of which are progressing in the gospel and close to entering into the covenant of baptism. President Clegg called me on Saturday morning and told me that I will be going to Fuengirola, to be the new mission secretary. Elder Stoner is the current secretary, and he will train me for three weeks, then leave. He and I entered the MTC on the exact same day - in fact we're the only two missionaries in our group. He's great and I am excited to be with him for a little while and then serve in a different way here in the mission. I'm not exactly sure what all of the responsibilities are but it's going to be different.
With that in mind, I have thought a lot about what I did with my time here in Sevilla. I see my time here as a very special time in my mission, and I am grateful to have had the opportunities and experiences that I have had here. The Lord has a plan for each of us and the purpose of that plan is our happiness. The plan is only possible because of Jesus Christ's perfect atonement. As Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, "Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father's eternal plan of salvation become operative." I know that the Savior lives, and that He came to this world to free us from death, and, upon those terms and conditions that God set, free us from sin. He is the light and life of the world. I love Him. I love the prophet Joseph Smith, to whom the Savior appeared, and through whom He restored the fulness of His gospel to the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of God.
I thank each of you for your love and your kindness. It is a great blessing to me.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
Well, my time here in Sevilla is over. It has been incredible, and I feel so grateful for the experiences I have had here. Elder Ferreira is an amazing missionary and I love him sooooo much. It will be hard to leave these wonderful people, many of which are progressing in the gospel and close to entering into the covenant of baptism. President Clegg called me on Saturday morning and told me that I will be going to Fuengirola, to be the new mission secretary. Elder Stoner is the current secretary, and he will train me for three weeks, then leave. He and I entered the MTC on the exact same day - in fact we're the only two missionaries in our group. He's great and I am excited to be with him for a little while and then serve in a different way here in the mission. I'm not exactly sure what all of the responsibilities are but it's going to be different.
With that in mind, I have thought a lot about what I did with my time here in Sevilla. I see my time here as a very special time in my mission, and I am grateful to have had the opportunities and experiences that I have had here. The Lord has a plan for each of us and the purpose of that plan is our happiness. The plan is only possible because of Jesus Christ's perfect atonement. As Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, "Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father's eternal plan of salvation become operative." I know that the Savior lives, and that He came to this world to free us from death, and, upon those terms and conditions that God set, free us from sin. He is the light and life of the world. I love Him. I love the prophet Joseph Smith, to whom the Savior appeared, and through whom He restored the fulness of His gospel to the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of God.
I thank each of you for your love and your kindness. It is a great blessing to me.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
August 1, 2011
Hola a todos,
We had a great week. It's amazing how much we can learn when we recognize our experiences as opportunities to grow and progress. I am grateful for those opportunities and that the Lord helps us use them to draw closer to Him.
Yesterday, Elder Ferreira and I were teaching a family and talking about baptism. The dad is a member, and we're teaching his daughter, his daughter's boyfriend, and his granddaughter. So, we started talking about what we need to be baptized and began reading in Mosiah 18:8, which says, "And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God..." My companion then asked the question, "What do we need first in order to be baptized?" We were hoping they would recognize that they first need the desire, and all of the sudden, the dad says, "Well, you need water." We all started laughing. He's a quiet guy but he's pretty funny too. It was hilarious.
Later on in the lesson, the same man shared his testimony about the change that came after his baptism, and how the Lord removed from him the desires to do bad things and continue his old habits. He bore testimony, as did Alma, of his faith in "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness" (Alma 7:14)
Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is our Redeemer. He is our Mediator. Through his perfect atonement we can change and be cleansed from all unrighteousness.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
We had a great week. It's amazing how much we can learn when we recognize our experiences as opportunities to grow and progress. I am grateful for those opportunities and that the Lord helps us use them to draw closer to Him.
Yesterday, Elder Ferreira and I were teaching a family and talking about baptism. The dad is a member, and we're teaching his daughter, his daughter's boyfriend, and his granddaughter. So, we started talking about what we need to be baptized and began reading in Mosiah 18:8, which says, "And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God..." My companion then asked the question, "What do we need first in order to be baptized?" We were hoping they would recognize that they first need the desire, and all of the sudden, the dad says, "Well, you need water." We all started laughing. He's a quiet guy but he's pretty funny too. It was hilarious.
Later on in the lesson, the same man shared his testimony about the change that came after his baptism, and how the Lord removed from him the desires to do bad things and continue his old habits. He bore testimony, as did Alma, of his faith in "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness" (Alma 7:14)
Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is our Redeemer. He is our Mediator. Through his perfect atonement we can change and be cleansed from all unrighteousness.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
July 25, 2011
Hola,
Well, we continue to enjoy our time here in Sevilla. It hasn't been as hot during this week, so we have enjoyed that. We love the people more every day and that love changes our hearts. The atonement of Jesus Christ provides the means by which we can change and improve and learn and grow.
On Saturday, we, along with the sister missionaries and some of the young single adults, set up a pancarta near the hospital in this part of the city. A pancarta is like a little stand we set up with pictures and some information about the church and invited people to come and see and hear the message of the restored gospel. Elder Ferreira and I left for a little while and walked around the neighborhood talking to people, and when we returned we saw the young single adults (there were 3 that came) saying good-bye to somebody. They told us that they had talked to this lady whose mother is sick and she feels very lonely. She gave them her phone number and address and that afternoon, Elder Ferreira and I went and visited her. Yesterday she came to the church and we have another appointment with her on Tuesday. The Lord is preparing people to hear this message. I know that.
I am grateful for our Savior. I am grateful that He loves us perfectly and He knows us personally. I am grateful that He restored his church and his gospel through his prophet, Joseph Smith. I am grateful that He has revealed once again the plan for our happiness. I am grateful that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles, that the heavens are open, and that we can choose to accept this opportunity to gain eternal life. It is worth every effort we make to love and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
Well, we continue to enjoy our time here in Sevilla. It hasn't been as hot during this week, so we have enjoyed that. We love the people more every day and that love changes our hearts. The atonement of Jesus Christ provides the means by which we can change and improve and learn and grow.
On Saturday, we, along with the sister missionaries and some of the young single adults, set up a pancarta near the hospital in this part of the city. A pancarta is like a little stand we set up with pictures and some information about the church and invited people to come and see and hear the message of the restored gospel. Elder Ferreira and I left for a little while and walked around the neighborhood talking to people, and when we returned we saw the young single adults (there were 3 that came) saying good-bye to somebody. They told us that they had talked to this lady whose mother is sick and she feels very lonely. She gave them her phone number and address and that afternoon, Elder Ferreira and I went and visited her. Yesterday she came to the church and we have another appointment with her on Tuesday. The Lord is preparing people to hear this message. I know that.
I am grateful for our Savior. I am grateful that He loves us perfectly and He knows us personally. I am grateful that He restored his church and his gospel through his prophet, Joseph Smith. I am grateful that He has revealed once again the plan for our happiness. I am grateful that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles, that the heavens are open, and that we can choose to accept this opportunity to gain eternal life. It is worth every effort we make to love and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
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